Maybe you can already see it.

Your first motorcycle. A light naked bike for slow rides through the countryside. An allroad for long days on the road. Or one day… a heavy touring bike heading toward Norway or the Alps.

But before you even get to motorcycles, something else usually comes first.

A question.

A1, A2 or A?

The system behind motorcycle licences

At first glance, it looks complicated. Three categories. Different ages. Different power limits. But in reality, it’s simpler than it seems. It’s a system designed for growth.

Step by step, not everything at once.

From light. To stronger. To freedom.

Motorcycle licence categories at a glance

A1 — from 18 years • motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW
A2 — from 20 years • motorcycles up to 35 kW
A — from 24 years • unlimited power
Code 80 — from 21 years • test on a heavy bike, later becomes full A

A1 licence

A1 is the lightest motorcycle licence category. For many people, it is the first real introduction to riding.

You ride motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW. That might sound modest, but modern 125s are anything but. They are light, efficient, and surprisingly enjoyable.

And most importantly: they give you space to learn without everything feeling heavy from the start.

For many young riders, A1 is not just a starting point.
It is the beginning of a longer road.

A2 licence

The A2 licence is, for many riders, the next step.

With this category, you can ride motorcycles up to 35 kW — around 47 hp. More than enough for everyday riding, longer trips, and even motorcycle holidays.

Many popular beginner bikes sit in this category. They strike a balance between enough power and a machine that still feels easy to learn on.

And interestingly, many experienced riders choose to stay on A2 bikes. Because they are light, playful, and surprisingly versatile.

Full A licence

With category A, the restrictions disappear.

You can ride any motorcycle that is legally allowed on public roads. From comfortable touring bikes and adventure machines to powerful sports bikes.

For some riders, this is the goal from day one.
For others, it becomes clear along the way that power matters less than the enjoyment of riding itself.

Code 80

Code 80 is essentially the bridge between A2 and a full A licence.

From the age of 21, you can take lessons and sit your test on a larger motorcycle. However, you do not immediately gain full access to all motorcycles.

Instead, you receive an A licence with code 80. This allows you to ride within the A1 and A2 categories for now, even though you passed your test on a larger bike.

After two years of experience, or once you turn 24, this restriction automatically expires. From that moment, your licence becomes a full A licence with no limitations.

Example: starting at 21

Let’s say you start lessons at 21.

You can immediately train on a larger motorcycle and take your test for category A.

After passing, you receive an A licence with code 80.

You are then allowed to ride:

A1 motorcycles
A2 motorcycles

After two years of experience, code 80 automatically expires.

From that moment, you also gain full access to all motorcycles within category A.

Progressing through A1 and A2

If you start younger, you can build experience step by step.

A common progression looks like this:

18 years → A1
20 years → A2
22 / 24 years → A

This way, you gradually build experience as you move onto more powerful motorcycles.

Which category do you actually need?

This is often the question that stays in your mind the longest.

Shouldn’t you just go straight for A?

The honest answer: not necessarily.

Riding a motorcycle is less about power than you might think. A lighter bike that feels natural often brings more enjoyment than a heavier one that still feels too big — and the other way around as well.

Some riders feel completely at home on A1 machines. Others know from day one that they want to end up riding towards the Alps.

Both are valid.

The real difference

Not A1. Not A2. Not A.

But this:

Where do you feel at home right now?

Because that changes.

And the important thing is: you do not have to get it right all at once. You grow with the road.

The bigger picture

In the end, it is not about cylinders. Not about kilowatts. Not about letters on a licence.

It is about movement. About being on the road.

About that first moment when everything goes quiet except the road ahead — and maybe that is exactly why this system exists.

Not to limit you.

But to let you begin.